A Brooklyn Life

Date

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Skincare is perhaps one of the trickiest categories to gift. Complexions can be fickle things. As a reviewer, I prefer gentler formulations than not. Also, my main barometer is if you can see a difference after you use the product. Here are a few that make the cut:

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask: I've tried many a sleeping mask that is basically an over-glorified night cream. This one actually seems to serve a wonderful purpose: a brightened, clearer complexion the next day.

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF: If you're a fan of vitamin C, you'll be over the moon for this brightening serum. I usually use at the start of each season to give my skin the boost it needs to transition nicely.

Nurse Jamie Uplift Massaging Beauty Roller: Jade rollers are great but I think this bad boy takes it to the next level. I discovered lately that I clench my jaw from stress and the domed end on the wand is great for getting into your jaw muscles.

Date

December 04 2017

Written By

Being the beauty columnist at the New York Times for almost nine years now, I'm often asked my favorite beauty picks. For gift-giving or otherwise, here are a few of current makeup favorites in no particular order:

Kevyn Aucoin Making Faces Beauty Book: My ultimate travel palette, this has all your necessary shades and then some. It's literally all you need (except for foundation) when you're on the go.

Dior Diorific Rouge Khol: A new innovative lip formulation by Dior, the color applies velvety and comfortable (no more cakey mattes). The gold holiday packaging is also pretty killer.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer: After seasons of ultra matte lips, glosses are making a strong comeback. This one is nothing like your sticky types of the '90s. It's pretty, flattering and a good kind of no-brainer. (See how it works on the image of the model above.)